‘I’m heartbroken’: Locally owned Pooler coffee shop, community staple to close it doors this July

POOLER, Ga. (WTOC) - A Pooler coffee shop that became a community staple is closing its doors for good next month.

For three and a half years, Stir Coffee was more than just a place to get coffee. It was a third space. And now on July 3rd, it’s closing its doors.

Stir Coffee Company opened three and a half years ago with a simple mission: build community and give back. The shop, born out of Relentless Church’s vision, donated profits above operating costs to local charities.

In a city known for chains and franchises, it quickly became something rare, a third space where entrepreneurs, students, and neighbors could gather.

“I was already on this rage of us as entrepreneurs not having enough places like Stir Coffee in Pooler… and then boom,“ said Cheri Cobb, marketing company owner, Pooler resident. ”Like a slap in the face. I see that they’re closing down and I’m just, I’m heartbroken, for sure.”

“It is a little disappointing to see another small business go out with the chains growing,” said Dan Schroeder, small business owner and Pooler resident.

Owner and CEO Kyle Garrison says the shop’s seven-year lease is up.

A significant rent increase made staying impossible.

Relentless Church recently purchased its first campus in Bloomingdale.

“The plan was to take Stir with us to that campus, but some things have happened with the campus to where we cannot have Stir there,” said Kyle Garrison, Stir Coffee CEO and Relentless Church senior pastor.

“So after a lot of decision making, we decided that the best foot forward would be to close for now. but who knows, maybe we could open in a few years, or maybe even if people wanted to partner and keep us open now. You never know what can happen.”

And for now, Garrison wants to thank the community for showing up.

“It’s almost unfair for us to say this is our coffee shop because really, it’s Pooler’s coffee shop,” said Garrison. “So thank y’all for everything you’ve done.”